Midsommar: A journey into a psycho sect

Directed by: Ari Aster

Released Year: 2019

Countries: United States of America, Sweden

Genres: Horror, dramatic, thriller

Running time: 148 minutes

Plot: A young American couple takes a holiday in Sweden, on a traditional Midsummer festival. The colourful event soon turns into a sinister nightmare when the locals reveal their true colors.

“Midsommer” is one of the most fascinating horror movies that I have ever watched in recent years - and I'm a huge fan of horror movies -.

This movie explores very important social and psychological issues such as toxic relationships, depression, mental manipulation, and the "rebirth" after the total annihilation of the individual.

“Midsommer” explains very well the dynamics present in a religious sect: how these communities work, how they attract new members and manipulate them until they become part of the sect and will never be able to escape.

There is no difference between the unhealthy dynamics implemented by a sect and the toxic dynamics present in a bad relationship, like the one experienced by the two main characters of the movie. In both cases, there is a victim and an executioner, only the context is different.

Surely, a single watching is not enough to understand the entire iceberg under the surface of the movie. An iceberg full of symbols, hidden meanings, interpretations and occult.

The aesthetic of the film is very fascinating and peculiar. The viewer is catapulted into this Swedish Eden, a small remote village in Sweden, where there is no trace of technology and modernity. The characters are surrounded by nature, ancient traditions and peace... it is an apparent peace that will be broken after a bloody and macabre ritual that will make the characters understand that they are actually in hell.

Nothing is as good as it seems.

I recommend this movie to all those people who love psychological horror and like to reflect on deep and complex life themes.

The film is divided into two main parts: the first part in which there is the psychological exploration of the protagonist’s traumas and issues, while the second part takes place in Sweden where the protagonists meet the small Swedish community and then the real plot begins.

The movie contains violent and shocking scenes, so it may not be suitable for the most sensitive people. Consider it before watching it.